The Human Rights Council, an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe, has appointed advocate Vrinda Grover in the three-member panel probing human rights violations by Russia in Ukraine. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was set up in March 2022. The Commission is headed by Erik Møse Norway and also includes Pablo de Greiff from Colombia. In April 2022, India in the strongest statement so far on Russia’s actions following its invasion of Ukraine which began in February last year had “unequivocally condemned” killings in Ukraine’s Bucha and supported calls for an independent investigation into the “deeply disturbing reports”. “Grover has legally represented victims and survivors of sexual violence, custodial killings, torture, communal massacres, extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and mob lynching. She has also represented media practitioners, human rights defenders and death row prisoners.” the UN body stated. Grover told The Indian Express that the Commission’s first mandate is to make an oral statement before the Human Rights Council at its 54th session in September 2023.
